Breast Thermography Screening in LONDON
Sadly incidence of breast cancer is rising, particularly in younger women. In fact 1 in 9 women can expect a diagnosis of breast cancer in their lifetime. Consequently, we recommend regular breast screening checks using the pain-free, radiation-free safe alternative to mammograms called Breast Thermography.
What is Breast Thermography?
Breast Thermography uses state of the art technology which scans the breasts using an infrared camera to produce a “thermogram”. Thermocheck® system detects any abnormal heat and vascular patterns indicating infection, inflammation or a breast tumour. Breast tumours tend to have abnormal blood vessel patterns and increased metabolic activity that give off more heat than the surrounding tissue. These heat changes can occur between 6 and 10 years before a tumour is big enough to see on a mammogram. Therefore detecting this heat can enable earlier intervention and reduction of risk. The blood vessel growth that accompanies tumour formation is termed neovascularization or angiogenesis. Neovascularization is the earliest sign of a rapidly growing tumour and can be detected with infrared technology.
What what happens during breast thermography with Thermocheck® at The Natural Doctor®
The thermograms obtained provide an indirect measurement of the metabolic activity of breast tissue. In other words, abnormal tissue is identified on a thermogram as focal ‘hot spots,’ disturbed cooling response and abnormal blood vessel patterns.
Watch Dr Eccles explain about breast thermography and breast health
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF BREAST THERMOGRAPHY WITH THERMOCHECK?®
- 100% safe, radiation-free, non-contact and painless.
- Very early detection of cancer risk (up to 10 years earlier than mammography).
- It is unique in its capacity to visually record physiological changes and metabolic processes.
- Cancers are associated with increased temperature and abnormal blood vessel patterns, both detected by Thermocheck®.
- 90% sensitivity. This means that where there is an increased risk, thermography will correctly identify this in 90% of cases (one third of mammograms give false readings).
- Breast Thermography Screening can be repeated as often as you like with no risk or radiation and are therefore is very suited for regular and frequent Breast Screening including post-surgery or during treatment or in cases where a patient might be unwilling to proceed with surgery
- It is useful for young women for whom mammography is inappropriate due to 1) greater density of breast tissue and 2) greater sensitivity of their breast tissue to adverse effects of ionising radiation.
Where can I have a thermography scan?
Breast thermography with Thermocheck® take place at our Harley Street Clinic in Central London in our private breast screening room.
ARE THERE ANY PREPARATIONS I NEED TO FOLLOW BEFORE MY SCAN?
In order to achieve the highest accuracy, it is compulsory to follow our standardised protocols. These are always emailed after booking your appointment.
How long will my appointment take?
Your thermography appointment will take approximately 30 minutes with one of our female scan technicians. If you are concerned about your breast health and prefer to discuss your breast thermography results on the same day straight after your scan with a breast health specialist, we offer an option of booking a scan and consultation with Dr Eccles, the founder of Thermocheck® on the same day.
At what age should I start to have Breast Thermography?
At The Natural Doctor®, given the incidence of breast cancer nowadays in younger women, we recommend a thermography screen for women of all ages from 20 onwards.
How often should I have a Breast Thermography scan?
We recommend a regular annual Breast Thermogram much like a regular dental check-up. Patients with abnormal scans or with breast cancer history will be recommended more regular checkups.
An urgent need to re-address the role of mammography in breast screening
Infra-red thermal imaging and early breast cancer detection
Want to know more about Dr Eccles and Thermography?
Please visit our media page or give us a call on 0207 224 4622.
Listen to dr Eccles Breast Health Podcast
Listen to Dr Taz Interview with Dr Eccles
Get in Touch
For more information, please fill in our contact form or call us on 0207 2244 622.